Today we’re excited to be connecting with Genice Gonzales again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Genice, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
My name is Genice Gonzales and I am the owner of Amora J Studios. We provide skin care, waxing and lash services and we created a name for ourselves with our affordable memberships, result driven treatments and global award winning wax services.
My journey to building my business comes from hard work, endless research and a true will to succeed. As a young, single mom I was determined to follow my passion and set an example for my daughters so they would grow up knowing that they can make their dreams a reality with hard work.
When my daughter was diagnosed with Autism, my business went from a dream to a necessity because the amount of therapy and services she needed would not allow me to work a 9 to 5 where I would not have flexibility in my hours. My business allowed me to make my availability around her therapy.
Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Since my first article, my business has grown in ways I never saw coming!
I have won an international award for waxing, became the CA educator for a wax brand, became a brand ambassador, won an international business pitch contest, won local and national awards in business, and moved into a bigger location.
With all the success came a LOT of obstacles like being away from my children and keeping the business flowing with all the new opportunities coming my way. I have also learned how hard it is to hire and have a team.
Recently, I have traveled to conventions around the country teaching the protocols I created for my industry to help client with Autism enjoy what our industry has to offer while keeping the environment sensory friendly.
I have become a pioneer in my industry to have protocols for teen acne and bedside manner approaches to help neurodivergent clients.
What I did not expect was learning how clients with PTSD, ADHD and other disorders are also able to benefit from my findings. I now have a schedule filled with conventions and events teaching the world how to be sensory friendly.
As a mom to a child on the spectrum, having a world where she is more understood is EVERYTHING I could wish for.
We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.
- Favorite Movie: The Intern
- Favorite Book: Where the Red Fern Grows
- Favorite TV Show: The Big Bang Theory
- Favorite Band or Artist: Breaking Benjamin, P!NK
- Sweet or Savory: sweet
- Mountains or Beach: mountains
- Favorite Sport (to watch): hockey, football, volleyball
- Favorite Sport (to play): volleyball, tennis
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): bowling, volleyball, tennis
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: chemist or forensic pathologist
- French Fries or Onion Rings: french fries
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: spongebob, powerpuff girls
- Favorite Childhood movie: bring it on, the exorcist, nightmare on elm street
- Favorite Breakfast Food: chocolate chip pancakes
What do you want people to remember about you and your brand? What are some of things that you feel are most important, unique, special, etc?
I want people to remember the inclusivity of my brand and how hard I fight for everyone to be understood and included.
Creating protocols for the special needs community and speaking up to encourage businesses to be ADA compliant is a true passion of mine. I am a mom to a special needs child and know so many other special needs moms that share the same fear : what will happen to our children when we are no longer here?
Amora J is not only striving for body inclusivity, we are aiming for all abilities and bodies to be understood.
I would hope that I can AT LEAST start the conversation to make society more aware of the accommodations that can help neurodivergent individuals have an easier time in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amorajstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amorajstudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamorakexperience
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amorajstudios
